Robin’s Rambles – “Like A Virgin”
“Like a Virgin” Episode 6/12
Robin’s Rambles by Robin Vogel
An incredible montage of scenes from all six of the previous seasons plays over “Back in the Saddle Again,” and I know my heart was beating hard in my chest as I watched. There was mention of alphas, mothers, and an overview of what happened when RoboSam returned, all the way to the final, awful scene when Death shoved his soul back into his body as Sam screamed in agony.
Cut to a scene straight out of “Phantom Traveler,” in which a couple is flying through a terrible thunderstorm. The young, very nervous young woman spots something HUGE flying by the plane and is immediately panic-stricken, but her boyfriend asks for just a few more minutes, assuring her it was just a bird. She’s sure it was NOT a bird, and he urges her to close her eyes, lean back, relax, think of beaches for a few moments. She reluctantly does so, only to hear him cry out as glass breaks and he is violently pulled from the plane. She opens her eyes, he’s gone, the plane is going down! She holds on as the plane fills with rain and lightning and screams in terror.
Editor’s comments: This felt so much more like an episode of old! I know, we had the old Sam back, but it felt like we had the old DEAN back, too, so protective of his brother! Watching all those scenes from previous eps over that classic rock song made me feel like crying. Sounds sappy, I know, but this season of SUPERNATURAL hasn’t been the same for me, and I’ve missed so many elements from what I remember! It felt to me like my favorite show was back in the saddle again, and they–and we–were riding high and happy!
As for the opening scene, I hate when they do stuff that makes me afraid to do stuff–like flying! It sure was scary and effective.
Dean waits anxiously outside the panic room as Castiel comes out, sliding down his sleeve. “His soul is in place,” says Cas. “When is he going to wake up?” asks Dean. “I’m not a human doctor,” says Cas. Dean wants him to guess. “OK, probably not,” says Cas. Dean’s annoyed at the lack of sugar coating, but Cas adds, “I’m sorry, Dean, but I warned you not to put that thing back inside him,” says Cas. “What was I supposed to do?” demands Dean–“let T-1000 walk around, hope he doesn’t open fire?” “I can tell you what his soul felt like when I touched it,” says Cas harshly, “like it had been skinned alive! If you’d wanted to kill your brother, you should have done it outright.” (OUCH!) Cas flies off, leaving Dean to chew on THAT guilty thought a while.
Upstairs, Bobby pours the two of them a drink. “Like my daddy said, just because it kills your liver don’t mean it ain’t medicine,” he says. (Lots of REAL drugs kill your liver!) “Sam still asleep?” Dean nods. “He’ll wake up,” Bobby assures him. “Yeah,” says Dean uncertainly. “He’s been through how much?” asks Bobby, “somehow, he always bounces back.” “He’s never been through this,” says Dean. He notes a newspaper article Bobby’s looking at. “Job?” Dean’s willing to help, even go to the library–anything. Bobby explains that a couple went up in a light plane. The guy was just found in the woods. Couple of Buddy Hollies? asks Dean–doesn’t seem like world of the weird. “Pilot was found 17 miles away–flambeed,” says Bobby, “girl’s just gone, no body, no nothin’.” “OK, I’m not changin’ the channel,” says Dean. “Dean?” says Sam behind him. Bobby stares, eyes huge. “Sam?” asks Dean, a million questions in the name. Sam hugs him, tight. Dean, after a few seconds, returns it. Sam holds him away, looks at him, smiles gratefully, then releases him to draw Bobby into a hug, too. “Good to see you,” says Bobby, without enthusiasm. “Wait–I saw Lucifer snap your neck,” says Sam. “Well, Cas,” begins Bobby. “Cas is alive?” asks Sam joyfully. “Cas is fine,” says Dean, “Sam, are you OK?” “Actually,” says Sam, “I’m starving.” This looks like the best news Dean’s ever heard.
Around a table where Sam is scarfing up a sandwich and beer, Dean asks, “So Sam, what’s the last thing you remember?” “The field, and then I fell,” says Sam, as we once again see the scene where he and Adam go over into the cage. “OK, and then?” asks Dean. “I woke up in the panic room,” answers Sam. (WHOA, that’s a lot of missing time!) “That’s it?” asks Bobby, “you really don’t remember. . .? “Let’s be glad!” interjects Dean quickly, giving Bobby a significant look–“who wants to remember all that hell.” “How long was I gone?” asks Sam. “About a year and a half,” says Dean. “WHAT?” says Sam, flummoxed–“I was downstairs. . .I don’t remember anything!–so how did I get back, was it Cas?” “Not exactly says Dean. “What did you do?” Sam asks his brother. “Me and Death,” admits Dean. “DEATH? The Horseman?” exclaims Sam. “I had leverage–it’s done,” Dean assures him. “You sure?” asks Sam. “It’s over,” says Dean firmly, “the slate’s wiped.” “Well, isn’t this just neat and clean,” says Bobby sarcastically. “Yes, it is, for once,” says Dean, but Sam, sensing something awry, asks, “Is there anything else I should know?” “No,” says Dean, smiling, “another beer?” “Yeah,” says Sam.
Later, Bobby, dressed in a manly apron, works under a car. Dean, beer in hand, joins him. “How is he?” Bobby asks. “Good, really good, better than I could have hoped,” Dean answers. “Mmmhmm,” says Bobby sourly. “Why the poop face?” asks Dean. “I’m glad he’s better, I really am,” says Bobby, “but that kid went straight-up Menendez on me not 10 days ago, and now it’s all just erased? Sorry, but I’m havin’ a hard time even looking at him.” “It wasn’t Sam,” Dean reminds him. “Maybe it wasn’t ALL Sam,” says Bobby, “but it was him, Dean. “What do you want to do, tell him everything?” asks Dean. “No, I just wish I could, that’s all,” admits Bobby. “If we start doin’ that crap, we don’t know what’ll happen, it could crack the wall,” warns Dean. Bobby knows. To Dean, this is a gift horse, and he’s not looking for teeth–“I’m sending Death a damn fruit basket!” “He’s gonna find out,” warns Bobby, “one way or another, somebody’ll tell him or he’ll figure it out on his own, he’s not dumb, he should hear it from us.” “Could we just leave it alone for the moment, please?” pleads Dean. “OK,” says Bobby, tossing up his hands and picking up a wrench, “but you’d better prep for the B-side, because when Sam realizes we’re shinin’ him, it ain’t gonna be cute.” Dean takes a swallow of beer.
As I said in response to Elle2’s article, this was a solid episode, but it didn’t send me back to my obsession days with SPN. The rock music and a blues song; loved that, but the montage scenes just reminded me of how disappointed I am with the direction this show has gone. Like a Virgin showed me many reminders about what I used to love about this show…but something is still ‘off’ and I think it is the intimacy that was formed between the brothers and the viewers that is lacking (and we haven’t had that in what? three years or four years now). So, no, I don’t feel back home, but there were enough reminders that I hope I can get there from here.
There again, the hug didn’t move me, because I don’t believe in the brothers’ bond right now. It’s been one-sided for four years now. Perhaps it will hold from this starting point, but from what I’ve read about future episodes, I am not counting on it. Let’s just say that Bobby and I are feeling about the same right now.
Besides the witty one-liners, the music (which I think added to the vintage feel of the episode) and reminders of the two characters I used to obsess over, I found some other funny things in this episode.
I’m still laughing at Gossip Girl Mother. Perhaps I’m supposed to be filled with apprehension for the brothers, but her acting was so bad, I laughed out loud.
As soon as I see my priest again, I’m going to let him know that you can drive to Purgatory. I think he’ll like knowing that, and may even find it useful.
Of course, I’m being flippant and these two things are not criticisms of the episode. It’s just that I think perhaps they didn’t have the budget to get into this type of metaphysical stuff, besides the fact that attempting to elevate the show to this level of fantasy appears to me to be the reason that there is a lack of intimacy in relationships now.
All that said, I am looking forward with reservation and a little trepidation to what the rest of the season holds for us.
Don’t take this to be all critical and without appreciation for Like a Virgin. There was so much to like in it. The three Js were awesome…and I thought particularly Jim Beaver this time around…perhaps because he mirrored my feelings right up to the end. He did seem very relaxed in his role this episode, didn’t he?
It’s all on Sera now. I wished I had more confidence in her, but my disappointment in S6 trumps confidence and hope in spite of this well-done episode.
I’m hoping I don’t offend anyone with my opinion, because it is only just how I am feeling about the show this season.
[quote]1. Did this episode please you as much as it did me? Or am I crazy? Do you feel like you’re back home again?
[/quote] Yes! we are back and Hallelujah I adored this episode.
[quote]2. Do you agree with Dean or Bobby? Should Sam be kept completely in the dark and be allowed to believe he was in hell for more than a year?[/quote] Mixed feelings here. Dean was right in principle, maintaining the wall is crucial and giving Sam any information that will make him want to scratch at the wall is dangerous. The fact is the year he spent soulless is behind that wall and if that part falls the rest may weaken. Bobby was right practically. Sam is smart, inquisitive and doesn’t give up. Giving him the information about the past year will keep him from scratching at the niggling thoughts that something has happened that he cant remember and may actually have Sam scratching at the wall because he doesn’t remember things. I think the point goes to Bobby, because Sam found out anyway.
3. Do you agree that a girl of 22 should have given it up already? How do you feel about this whole purity thing? Apparently, the girl the dragons needed had to be virginal. Why do you think that is so?
[quote]4. How did what happened to that girl who was exchanged with the “Mother of All†make you feel? Did you feel her terror as she fell? What do you think happened to her down in Purgatory, if, indeed, that’s where she went? Do you get the impression that she’s going to be our next Big Bad? Did she give you a trickle of fear, or are you already missing Crowley?[/quote]
I will always miss Crowley. Give me snarky and witty and I’m happy. I felt the girl’s terror, but I don’t know how I feel about Mother as an adversary. I would love a kick a** female adversary, but Supernatural has let me down on this time and time again, so I’m going to have to wait and see.
[quote]5. How did you feel about the Sam/Dean hug? What about the Sam/Castiel hug that didn’t happen?[/quote]
I loved the Sam Dean hug. I find the fact that Sam stopped the Castiel hug interesting. I’d like to know why he did stop it exactly.
[quote]6. How about the HUMOR in this ep? Too much, not enough, thank God for the writers’ golden pens, what?[/quote]
Perfect balance of humor.
[quote]7. ROCK MUSIC! And Jethro Tull, my favorite band of all time!!!! Plus “Back in the Saddle Again,†a song I just love! How did you feel about the music?
[/quote]
I love the return of classic rock. Not knowing a lot of classic rock, the actual songs didn’t do much for me. I wish they had only played one and kept the music budget so we could have more classic songs in later episodes.
[quote]8. How did you feel about “Like a Virgin� I felt like a virgin, truly kissed by season six for the very first time. Sigh![/quote]
Loved the episode. All in all one of my favorites.
[quote]1. Did this episode please you as much as it did me? Or am I crazy? Do you feel like you’re back home again?[/quote]Oh yes, I am very delighted about the return of Sam and to see their interaction again. With the brothers I am “home” And I saw the lie of Dean as a try to protect Sam. But there was one scne I wished Dean would have told Sam. The moment where Sam gallops through John journal and says something about the skin walker. There was a momentand it felt like the right moment for me. I wish Dean would have told him.
[quote]2. Do you agree with Dean or Bobby? Should Sam be kept completely in the dark and be allowed to believe he was in hell for more than a year?[/quote]
I understand that Dean tried to protect Sam in not telling Sam. But I wish he would have told him later about his soulless time on earth. Sam found it out by his own and Bobbys behavior gave him the clue. That is not surprising when I think of Sam!
[quote]5. How did you feel about the Sam/Dean hug? What about the Sam/Castiel hug that didn’t happen?[/quote]
I loved this hug between the brothers.
And I loved the reaction of Sam when Castiel tried to hug him. Back then in “Swan Song” he didn`t even want to say some nice words to Sam. Awkward!
[quote]6. How about the HUMOR in this ep? Too much, not enough, thank God for the writers’ golden pens, what?[/quote]
well I loved the light hearted brotherly banter in this episode. I wished I would have seen more Sam waking up and struggling a bit. He is like a tumbler, and everybody is used to it. I would have liked to see him coming upstairs, not seeing Dean/Bobby. But maybe it was shown to bring out the difference between Bobbys reaction and Deans! The brotherly banter was the tip of the ice cake for me, loved it. And loved Sam asking Dean about the year..after. Consistent Sam`s character.
[quote] 7. ROCK MUSIC! And Jethro Tull, my favorite band of all time!!!! Plus “Back in the Saddle Again,†a song I just love! How did you feel about the music?
[/quote]
Loved the music of course, finally and so much Sam in the intro, loved this too!
I felt very bad for this girl before they threw her into the hole. But later when she came back I was a bit disappointed. This should be the new big bad? I don`t know about this. I liked the snarky demons, the torturing demons (Crowley and Alistair and of course YED and Lucifer)
About the virgins I don`t know but maybe they are more worthy for sacrifices, their souls are more pure (okay we know this is not so in real life, one has nothing to do with the other).
maybe with the purity the purgatory gets some fueling fire, I don`t know where the series is going with this.
Sam was a lot like a cleansed pure being. He was so light hearted and even wanted to eat, I was surprised about this. I don`t know if this could have a deper meaning because over the whole 5 1/2 years Sam wasn`t a joyful eater more the contrary. Its like a burden is heaved away, but …yes there is a but,..his soulless time will hit him utterly I am afraid!
[quote]8. How did you feel about “Like a Virgin� I felt like a virgin, truly kissed by season six for the very first time. Sigh!
[/quote]
I loved it very much and I already watched it a few times. And after re-watching I truly started to enjoy it way more then the first time, because I read so much about the episode, I knew to much, and with the delay so much excitement was dragged away. Today I was really utterly touched by the brother scenes and especially Sam with his quest for the things he didn`t know. *gulp* and *sigh* I am very afraid and worried.
Thank you for writing this again. I waited for your rambles!!!
@ Junkerin
zippo = Feuerzeug
Thank you Robin for your detailed review. Because you even rewrite there dialog for me as a ESL it is sometimes hard to catch the hole meaning or fun in the show.
#1 I loved this epi. I rewatched it right a way (something I have never done before)
#2 Well I thought Dean was about to tell Sam in the motel room but could not make up his mind. Yes Sam must know (better to know than to remember)
#3 I go with the purity of the heard thing
#4 I fellt so for the girl. As for the mother, I don´t know. She didn´t have much time to angst me.
#5 I loved the hug between Sam and Dean. It felt sooooo goooood. As for Sam and Cas. I´m lost. Why didn´t Sam hug Cas? He should have! Cas is not the touchy guy and he wanted to give Sam a hug. I just don´t get it.
#6 OMG Dean was so good. I have to lought just remember the szene.
#7 Finaly the music is back I loved the On the road so far
To Pandora: thank you
Hi Robin
Thanks again for such a detailed recap.
1. Did this episode please you as much as it did me? Or am I crazy? Do you feel like you’re back home again?
This episode worked for me and I definately felt like I was home again. I really enjoyed having the brothers back.
2. Do you agree with Dean or Bobby? Should Sam be kept completely in the dark and be allowed to believe he was in hell for more than a year?
I would say Bobby is right but I feel baby steps are needed here. To tell Sam everything at once would be too much to absorbe and far too devasting. If he hears things in bits and pieces it will give him a chance to deal and work things through with each issue. This wall was only given 75% chance of holding. I think it’s better for Sam to be somewhat prepared instead of being hit with it all at once.
3. Do you agree that a girl of 22 should have given it up already? How do you feel about this whole purity thing? Apparently, the girl the dragons needed had to be virginal. Why do you think that is so?
I don’t see why there should be a age stamped on when one should give up their virginity. It should depend on who they are willing to give it up for. Sacrificing a virgin goes back centuries. I guess back then it ment purity. However in todays world just because someone is a virgin doesn’t make them automatically a pure person.
4. How did what happened to that girl who was exchanged with the “Mother of All†make you feel? Did you feel her terror as she fell? What do you think happened to her down in Purgatory, if, indeed, that’s where she went? Do you get the impression that she’s going to be our next Big Bad? Did she give you a trickle of fear, or are you already missing Crowley?
I believe this Mother of All is our next big bad. Not sure how I feel about her yet. Need to see a few more episodes to get a better impression.
5. How did you feel about the Sam/Dean hug? What about the Sam/Castiel hug that didn’t happen?
I loved the hug between Sam and Dean. It reminded me too of Mystery Spot with Sam going to Dean and enclosing him in a huge bear hug. As for Sam and Castiels hug I would have to agree with Yume theory.
6. How about the HUMOR in this ep? Too much, not enough, thank God for the writers’ golden pens, what?
I loved the humour. Dean and the Stone had me laughing.
7. ROCK MUSIC! And Jethro Tull, my favorite band of all time!!!! Plus “Back in the Saddle Again,†a song I just love! How did you feel about the music?
The music was good. After having the classic rock being so scarce these past few years, it’s always appreciated to have it when we can.
I don’t know what World of Warcraft is 😕 Should I? 😳 Should Dean?
BUT I loved this episode!
Thanks Robin for your review. And the transcript, as junkerin said, it helps a lot us ESL speakers.
All best!
Oh, thank you, Yume. Now I know why I don’t know anything about it 😛
i love sam and dean love each other no need other brother
who can help me see season 6 in indonesia i cannot see them. i do like sam and dean i like mistery spot also all ofthem
[b]I just want to watch sam and dean hug to show they care to each other, they are brothers. I hope supernatural writer’s don’t go to far from the bible, it’s not good especially the episode Heaven and Hell, I hope no romantic scenes like that again. This ìs Supernatural, for God sake, not teenage or romance movie, I give my oppinion, cause I really love sam and dean or jared and jensen[/b]